The problems of drugs, gangs, incarceration, gun crime, prostitution, homelessness and the overall torment of street life are the topics that inspired this band to get together in the first place. in the winter of 2000 two crazy motherfuckers with similar musical interests, and similar fucked up ass backgrounds decided that it was about time Chicago had a hardcore band that addressed street life through the eyes of those that had been there and had something to say about it. Myself, Mike Repel and my good friend Mike Baker. We both knew how fucked up shit was out there so we decided to form a band and that the most appropriate name would be "13 1/2" which is an old convict saying that stands for "Twelve Jurors, One Judge, and a half asked chance of getting off"
With that we tried out a bunch of people that didnt fit in with us at all, some of these musicians today are either suburban douchebags or fags with makeup, which really wasnt what we were into. We did meet some cool people along that road though, But then in the blink of an eye, Mike Baker was taken from us permanently. He died on Oct. 27th of 2001. Needless to say this devastated all of his family and friends. This is one brother I will always miss. Although this hurt, I felt like I owed it to him and myself to make this into something that we could get to others. So I made it my personal goal.
The music style of Thirteen and a Half is a pool of Hardcore(were talking the old school shit from 14-17 years ago)/Metal/and punk. things started moving along after Jesse Aguilar joined, left and joined again in 2003 as our Bass player. He recruited the talents of Rick Mienteciewyczk on drums from the "Back of The Yards"neighborhood off of 47th Street on Chicagos South Side. We turned an attic into our rehearsal space/studio and made it our home for the next year. Over those next few months we started laying the tracks for our 4 song demo that we released in July of 2004. Although the production quality was a little rough, it gave us that down home "gritty" feel.
We were looking for a vocalist this whole time, but we had an opportunity to do a short set, so I said fuck it, ill sing. After that the guys said fuck getting someone else. So here I am the voice behind the filth.
We were doing alot of shows on the citys south side and put up a website around this time. I also took a shitload of flyers to a suburban Hardcore show explaining how our demo reflected how "street life really is", and I gotta tell ya, I really dont think they related to that shit too well. Oh well, cant identify with everyone now can you.
In late 2004 we hired a new drummer. Val Lesh moved here from Seattle and had played a variety of music,but not hardcore, we tried her out, liked her attitude, and the way she hit the skins, so she got the job. We got her up to speed, worked on some new material and started doing more shows.
During the early winter months of 2005 we started recording "Curbside Cemetary" which was the demo redone in its entireity and some new tunes.
we released this in May of 2005.
Later in the summer of 2005 I was at a little hole in the wall bar here in Chicago called the Mutiny, this place has live bands 4 days a week and is a cool place to chill. Turns out I met our lead guitarist Dave there. we had our shit in the jukebox, i popped it on and Dave decided to come and audition.
He picked up our shit like nothing and we did a few more shows before this band started showing signs of its own demise.
Eventually Dave and I were the last men standing, and we still decided to keep something going. Finding the right blend of musicians in this town can be difficult though. But then it happened, we got our new lineup, but the new guys seemed like they wanted to start on a clean slate.
It had been my full intention to resurrect this band, but after finding a new lineup, which is a whole new band, I guess its time to let a sleeping dog lie.So here i am putting the nails in the coffin of something that never wanted to see stop short of being a success. sad thing is, is that this page is getting more traffic over the last few weeks than ever before.
Im leaving this page up for all of you thugs out there, and for everyone that supported us. As soon as my new band has its page up ill let you knowbut in the meantime thanks for everything. This band was a venue for me to get alot of shit off of my chest. And I appreciate all the comments you guys and girls have left.R.I.P. THIRTEEN AND A HALF
